Kathmandu: A sudden flash flood in Nepal’s northern Rasuwa district has left behind a scene of destruction, with villages, roads and key infrastructure near the Tibet border washed away within minutes. At least nine people have died, while 105 Indian nationals are reported missing, according to the latest information available on Wednesday.
The flood struck the areas around Timure and Syapru Besi after a huge surge of water entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan side at around 9 am. The force of the water damaged homes, vehicles, bridges and construction sites, leaving residents and workers scrambling for safety.
Timure Bazaar, a busy settlement close to the Nepal China border, was among the worst hit areas. The nearby customs office was badly damaged, while the newly rebuilt Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadhi was swept away.
Several security facilities were also affected. Three Nepal Police units in the area suffered damage, while nine personnel of the Armed Police Force posted in Timure were reported missing.
The scale of the flooding has made rescue operations difficult. Roads and communication links have been damaged in several places, leaving some affected areas hard to reach. Rescue teams involving Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Army have been deployed to search for missing people and help those stranded.
Officials are still trying to determine exactly what triggered the sudden flood. Interestingly, authorities said there was no unusually heavy rainfall recorded in Rasuwa at the time. However, satellite images showed significant rainfall on the Tibetan side. Officials are also looking into whether a glacial lake outburst flood could have caused the sudden rush of water.
The disaster has also hit Nepal’s infrastructure badly. Several hydropower projects in the region were affected, with around 430 MW of generation capacity reportedly disrupted.
As the floodwater moves downstream, authorities in parts of northern India, including Bihar, have also been put on alert.
For people living in the affected Himalayan communities, the immediate priority remains finding those who are missing and reaching families cut off by the damage. Rescue teams are continuing their search, but with roads and bridges destroyed, the full extent of the disaster is still emerging.
Officials fear the death toll could rise as rescuers reach areas that remain inaccessible. The coming hours are expected to be crucial for the ongoing search and relief operations.
ALSO READ: Nepal Flood Fury: Villages Swept Away As Rescue Teams Race To Find The Missing